Family history sources at The National Archives of Malta

Abstract

The objective of this essay is to provide to the researcher a guide of the collections at the National Archives of Malta (NAM) that are relevant to family history. This will be accomplished by identifying and explaining the context and contents of the relevant archival material from the 'Fonds' to the 'Series' level; supplying information regarding accessibility and range of years covered with regards to the particular records; indicating the 'finding-aids' that may be available at the NAM; providing brief information of complimentary collections in other depositories; and indicating pitfalls one may encounter in the documents researched at the NAM. This guide is being written to assist family historians by indicating some of the more important sources available to them in the National Archives of Malta at Rabat. The depository at the old building of the former Santo Spirito Hospital holds the records created by the Public Administration and the Law Courts and span the last 200 years, from the start of the British rule in 1800. Amongst the archival material preserved at the Santo Spirito repository the collections that are most relevant to family history researchers are: Passport Applications, Arrivals and Departures, Petitions to Governors, Maltese Personnel in the Armed Forces, Malta George Cross 50th Anniversary Medal, the Blue Books, the Malta Government Gazette and the London Gazette. There is, however, a whole range of records at the NAM which family historians would find of immense use in tracking down ancestors and for filling in details about their lives, occupations, and movements. This project is a study of the relevant content of these collections, giving also a brief background of historical information, in order to assist the researcher in assessing the information that may be made available from these records. This is meant to be a guide to sources rather than method, and does not claim to be comprehensive, nor is it intended to replace personal assistance from the Archives' staff.